Take time to think through floral design

A few chives can make a pretty flower display.

Photograph by: Walter Tychnowicz
, Edmonton Journal

Whether you've asked people over for a formal dinner or for drinks and nibbles on the patio, fresh flowers are a foolproof way to ready your home for guests.

But foolproof doesn't always mean easy.

Flower arrangers must consider everything from ratios and symmetry to colour theory and climate control. "There's a lot of little things that you have to think about and understand," says Lynne McAlpine, who teaches floral design as a continuing education course in Edmonton.

She has some tips to share on floral design essentials. These five steps promise that even the newest green thumbs are covered.

THINK BEFORE YOU SNIP

If you're a gardener, you might be tempted to snip blooms from the flower bed.

"If you cut it under the water, the first thing it's going to do is it's going to slurp and it's going to take water, which is what it needs," McAlpine says.

Start by snipping off just an inch (2.5 cm) of the stem and continue by cutting a little bit at a time.

"Keep your stems long. You can always bring them down."

The general rule is to cut your flowers to one to 1.5 times the height of your container. But much depends on the weight of the flowers and the strength of the stems.

If you're adamant about using finds from your garden, stick to greens that will survive pruning. They transfer well into vases, where they'll also highlight your star flowers.

"Greens are very beautiful," says McAlpine.

"They're there so they can frame your arrangement."

BEWARE OF BURNOUT

Keep arrangements out of direct sunlight, which will cause colours to fade and push flowers quicker toward death.

"If you're doing something that's going on to your little table out on your patio, make sure that you're working with really, really sunhardy flowers," McAlpine says. But even then, she says, try to keep them in the shade as much as possible.

Alternatively, use potted plants, such as little gerberas or roses, outside.

"You can create really beautiful little dish gardens that are fantastic for your patio table that's going to withstand the sun and the heat, and maybe even the coolness that we've been having."

CHOOSE WISELY

If you're going for a theme revolving around a particular hue, McAlpine suggests bringing a colour wheel along as you shop for your blooms. "If you don't have (a colour wheel), sit and play with them, and put them next to one another in your tray before you buy," she says.

"Rather than impulse buying, really think it out and that will help you utilize your dollars better and give you the overall feeling that you're going for."

Of course, McAlpine emphasizes that there are no rules.

FOLLOW NATURE'S LEAD

Set long flowers, such as gladiolas, snapdragons and larkspur, around the base of your container first, then move into chrysanthemums or roses, says McAlpine.

Top it off with something like a lily.

"Always think about nature when you're creating," McAlpine says.

"When you're in nature, what's on the top of the flower? The top of the flower is always the bud. Down at the base of the flower is always the open bloom. So that's how you always want your arrangement to be."

Make sure to turn open flowers so that they face you, instead of up.

Beginners can ensure arrangements have symmetry and balance by following a simple rule, she says.

"What you do on one side of the arrangement you immediately turn your arrangement around and do exactly the same thing on the other side. So you're just mirroring what you're doing on one end to the other."

KEEP IT FRESH

Use the floral food that comes with your purchase and make sure you keep your water clean.

You don't even have to take your flowers out of the vase, says McAlpine. Simply put your arrangement under the tap and let the water refresh itself every few days.

Floral design takes practice, McAlpine says, so don't be discouraged.

"Look at lots and lots of pictures. Learn your flowers," she says. "Always pay attention to how they have placed those flowers."

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